Supreme Court Upholds Acquittal of Union Minister Ajay Mishra Teni in 2000 Murder Case

In a definitive ruling, the Supreme Court on Monday upheld the acquittal of Union Home Minister of State Ajay Mishra Teni in a murder case dating back to 2000 [Rajeev Gupta vs Ajay Mishra alias Tani and ors]. The bench, comprising Justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal, expressed its reluctance to intervene with the consistent findings of the lower courts, dismissing the appeal filed by the legal heir of the original complainant.

The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court had previously, in May of the previous year, affirmed Teni's acquittal, prompting the appeal to the apex court. The case revolves around the tragic death of student leader Prabhat Gupta, who was shot near his residence in Tikonia, Lakhimpur Kheri district, Uttar Pradesh. Teni and three others were accused and booked for murder.

The trial court, in 2004, acquitted Teni, citing the prosecution's failure to establish a clear chain of events. This decision faced challenge by the Uttar Pradesh government in the Allahabad High Court.

Acting on an early-hearing application, the High Court directed the matter to be listed for final hearing on May 16. In the interim, Mishra sought a transfer of the appeal to the principal bench in Prayagraj, which the Supreme Court denied. However, it urged the High Court to hear Mishra's plea for final disposal on November 10, 2022.

A division bench of Justices Ramesh Sinha and Renu Agarwal heard the matter on November 10 and reserved the judgment. Yet, on December 21, 2022, it was directed for rehearing in January 2023 after Rajeev Gupta, claiming to be the complainant's son, sought permission to submit written arguments.

The case was ultimately heard on February 21, 2023, and in May 2023, the High Court upheld Teni's acquittal.

In a related context, it's noteworthy that Ajay Mishra Teni's son, Ashish Mishra, is presently accused of killing farmers protesting against the revoked farm laws in Lakhimpur Kheri in 2021. The tragic incident occurred on October 3, 2021, when a vehicle allegedly driven by Ashish Mishra, belonging to him, mowed down eight protesting farmers.

Author: Anushka Taraniya

News Writer, MIT ADT University